Wales women head coach Rowland Phillips has focussed on the future after naming his training squad for the 2017/18 season.
Phillips’ side came seventh at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August, defeating hosts Ireland to ensure they would automatically qualify for the next World Cup in 2021.
With the Six Nations only a few months away, Phillips is now looking to the next generation and has selected a host of players from the Wales Women U18 side that secured bronze in the Commonwealth Youth Games this summer.
One of the players included is Lleucu George, the 17-year-old who went on to become the youngest player to feature at the World Cup when she made her debut against New Zealand.
Phillips has also retained an experienced core of players to take Wales through to the next World Cup in four years’ time, but says there is a lot of rugby to be played before then.
The head coach said: “We’ve been keeping a keen eye on the next generation of players coming through the system, whilst also being in a good situation where we have a lot of young but experienced international players.
“The achievement of the team in the Commonwealth Youth Games was fantastic, giving many of these girls invaluable competition experience.
“The Women’s Six Nations will be with us before we know it, so there is a lot of work to do and a lot to look forward to as well.”
The new training squad will convene for the first time on Wednesday at the National Centre of Excellence, where Phillips and his assistant coaches, Nick Wakley and Paul Young, will set out their expectations for the coming seasons.
Wales Women training squad: Abbie Flemming; Alecs Donovan; Alisha Butchers; Amy Evans; Amy Morgan; Amy Thomas; Angharad Desmet; Beth Harriett Jones; Beth Lewis; Cara Hope; Caryl Thomas; Carys Phillips; Cerys Hale; Charlie Murray; Dyddgu Hywel; Elinor Isaacs; Elinor Snowsill; Ffion Lewis; Gemma Rowland; Gwen Crabb; Gwenllian Pyrs; Hannah Bluck; Hannah Jones; India Berbillion; Jasmine Joyce; Jessica Kavanagh-Williams; Jodie Evans; Katie Jenkins; Katie Thicker; Kayleigh Powell; Keira Bevan; Kelsey Jones; Kerin Lake; Laurie Harries; Liliana Podpadec; Lleucu George; Lucy Packer; Megan York; Mel Clay; Morfudd Ifans; Natalia John; Nia Elen Davies; Philippa Tuttiett; Rebecca de Filippo; Rhian Noakes; Rhi Parker; Robyn Wilkins; Shona Powell-Huges; Sian Moore; Sian Williams; Sinead Breeze; Sioned Harries; Siwan Lillicrap.
